This Lexus is the perfect replacement for the Cadillac XT4

Drivers who prefer a luxury compact crossover lost one of the popular choices when GM discontinued the Cadillac XT4 earlier this year. XT4 buyers were looking for premium style and features, a comfortable cabin, an efficient powertrain and practical cargo space, but at a reasonable price. The XT4 has all that, with the legendary Cadillac nameplate inside. You’d be hard-pressed to find a replica of the XT4, but the Lexus NX meets and, in some cases, exceeds these criteria.

The Lexus RX would meet the requirements, but it is slightly larger and has a higher price than the XT4. The Lexus NX is probably the most logical vehicle to replace the XT4. It is certainly a premium car, and Lexus brand value is very strong in the US as well. The NX features a beautiful and practical cabin, several powertrain options and technology that is just as good, if not better, than the Caddy. Lexus vehicles were at the top JD power “Reliability Index,” although Cadillac is near the top at number five. Lexus cars also consistently rank among the top in terms of resale value.

Size, features and everyday usability: the numbers that matter

The Lexus NX and Cadillac XT4 are physically very similar, and both offer good passenger space and ample cargo volume. The Cadillac doesn’t quite live up to its premium status, with hard plastic surfaces lower on the doors, and buttons and controls that came from the same bin as GM’s more mass-market offering.

The Lexus NX has undergone a major interior renovation, using stylish materials and a modern look and feel. There are also several feature upgrades, either on the higher trims or as optional extras. These range from a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, ambient lighting, open-pore wood to quilted leather upholstery.

Infotainment and sound

The Caddy has a nice 33-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A Wi-Fi hotspot is standard. The sound is provided through a seven-speaker system, with an optional AKG setup with 13 speakers. Base-level NX models have a 9.8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims have a 14.0-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Wireless charging and a head-up display are optional. Sound is via a 10-speaker system, while a 17-speaker Mark Levinson setup is optional for the top panels.

Dimensions are quite comparable

Both vehicles are compact crossovers, so they fit in a standard car garage and offer the agility of a car in traffic. At 183.5 inches, the Lexus is about two inches longer than the Caddy. The Lexus has 92 cubic feet of passenger space, while the Cadillac has 105. Cargo space behind the rear seats is identical at approximately 23 cubic feet. The Cadillac has the same curb weight as the gasoline Lexus, while the hybrid Lexus is about 100 pounds heavier, and the PHEV, with its large battery, is almost 500 pounds heavier.

Powertrain and driving character

Neither the Cadillac nor the Lexus are outright performance cars, but both offer highly drivable power. The Cadillac XT4 lineup all come with the same engine, a 2.0-liter turbo inline-four that produces 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Lexus NX comes with a range of powertrain options. The gas model has a 2.4-liter turbo inline-four that makes 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid that produces a combined 240 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, while the plug-in hybrid produces a combined 304 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque.

Efficiency and performance

The Caddy has one engine option and it is very popular. The Lexus has a more flexible range and buyers can choose a cheaper pure gas engine, the efficient hybrid or the most expensive, powerful and versatile PHEV option. On the battery alone, the PHEV has a range of 60 kilometers, after which it functions like a normal hybrid.

Cadillac XT4 and Lexus NX performance specs

Luxurious ride quality of both models

The 2025 CadillacXT4Reviews say it’s more of a boulevard cruiser than a sporty SUV, with supple suspension on normal roads but can get bumpy on rough roads. The steering also lacks road feel. Reviewers noted that the Lexus had softer suspension and handling common to the brand, and the F Sport trim has an adaptive suspension that firms up the ride and provides more balance.

This commercial vehicle’s suspension does a great job of filtering out harsh roads and big suspension inputs, all without flopping around in corners. Even at speed, the cabin remains impressively quiet…

– Craig Cole for TopSpeed ​​(Lexus NX)

Ownership, value and strategic case for replacement

The fact that General Motors is phasing out the XT4 puts a damper on ownership. No matter how popular and practical it is, when a model ends production it casts a shadow on owning it. GM will certainly continue to support the XT4 with parts and service for the logical lifespan of the current models. The Lexus NX is a different proposition. Lexus has no plans to discontinue this model and in fact has just upgraded it. This, with the variety of powertrains and trim levels available, provides a clearer roadmap for long-term ownership and resale value.

Ownership and reliability

While the focus of this piece is on finding an alternative to the popular Cadillac XT4, it is worth considering the JD power scores for the two vehicles. JD power scores are out of one hundred and are based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of verified owners. The CadillacXT4 scores an 80/100 for reliability, a 76/100 for resale and an overall 79/100, while the Lexus NX clocks an 85/100 for quality and reliability, an 81/100 for resale and an overall 83/100.

Depreciation leans more in Lexus’ favor

The Lexus retains its value better than the Cadillac over five years on average, even though the Lexus may show some variation with its different powertrain options. A 2025 Cadillac XT4 will depreciate in value by 49 percent over five years, with an average value of $22,436. A 2025 will depreciate by 47 percent over the same period, with an average sales value of $29,125.

The Lexus NX is more than a comparable replacement

The Cadillac XT4 is a popular vehicle because it is a compact crossover – the most popular vehicle form in the US. It offers a premium experience at a very good price, and while it’s not a performance vehicle, it’s lively enough for most drivers. The Lexus NX also meets all these requirements, plus a few more.

The Lexus offers more options

The Cadillac XT4 has one powertrain option and is available in two trim levels: Premium Luxury and Sport. The Lexus has three powertrain options and is available in 15 trim levels, giving the buyer a much wider choice.

Brand equity affects both manufacturers

Cadillac is a very strong brand and the brand has a long history. Its high-profile achievements in motorsport, including participation in a Formula 1 team in 2026, will only increase the brand’s appeal. Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, one of the most trusted brands in the US, although the Lexus brand itself has solid value. If Cadillac hadn’t decided to discontinue the XT4, the choice between Lexus and Lexus would have been a coin toss. As it is now, the Lexus NX is a perfect replacement for the Caddy.

Sources: Cadillac, Lexus, JD powerthe Ministry of Energy.